VELLORE: The premises of Katpadi Government Middle School has turned a parking lot for private auto rickshaws and an open bar for boozers during the night hours for the past two years.
The school administration’s repeated complaints to authorities to keep the anti- social elements and illegal vehicle parkers out of the school premises has fetched no desired result till date. The officials of Vellore corporation, education and police department remain mute spectators to the plight faced by students and teachers of the school, which is located between the streets of Kullakarai and Dharapdavedu.
The HM of the school Geeta said,“Sweepers complained to me that they were seeing liquor bottles, water packets and plastic glasses in the morning. The school is a hot spot for boozers during weekends. Sweeping, especially on a Monday is a nightmare for them. She added that the school premises did not have gates and people residing in and around the school used it to pass through the next street.
“Students are not able to play even for an hour during the play hours due to the illegal parking of vehicles and also due to the presence of people as it has become a common place for the public,” said a teacher of the school. Autos parked in the school ground has just added to the woes already being faced by students.
Geeta added,“We are not using one of the buildings due to bad odour from the drainage and people are openly defecating behind the school. So, I have arranged for an another classroom. I have been here for the last two years and we have submitted many petitions to the president of the first zone, M Sunil Kumar regarding these issues.”
Besides the teachers and the students, the local residents have also become the victims of the grave situation. “ When I questioned the people who drink liquor during the night on the school premises, they just threatened me and asked me to mind my business. We have no doubts that these people are responsible for many thefts taking place here” said a resident living next to the school.
Ward 7 councillor and zone I president M Sunil Kumar said, “Residents around the school have to use the main road to reach the nearby streets but passing through the school premises is a short-cut. I will urge the residents not to use the school. Soon, we will propose a tender to install gates.”
When asked about the ground, which is used as a bar during night hours, Sunil Kumar said, “A joint complaint by the school head master and myself was filed in the Katpadi Police station regarding this issue. But, the police didn’t look into this matter seriously. They visited the spot for two days to prevent the drunkards but the following day they didn’t turn up. If they remand them in jail, they will not repeat the crime.”
He added that with the help of MLA funds they were planning to build a new building in the school premises, to start English medium education.